Round Table First Round Playoffs Predictions

With the first round of the playoffs nearly upon us the Boston Celtics are on the verge or their greatest challenge of the season by far against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have turned into the odds on favourite to represent the eastern conference in the NBA Fianals and they are in that position because of one of the most remarkable collection of talent in LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

While the Cavaliers rely on super stars the Celtics do it the complete opposite way with contributions coming from any number of players. While most people counted out the Celtics a long time ago they are going into the post season as the hottest team in the East and because of that I decided to ask the Hardwood Houdini writers the simple question: Do they have a chance?

Timmy Sclafani

I had a dream last night where the Celtics win in 6. I’m not one to fight fate so lets stick to that. Celtics in 6. If it’s a good enough prediction for Mike Gormund, it’s good enough for me. Celtics have a significantly more efficient defense which is sure to drive Cleveland insane.

Apr 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (4) works the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-78. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

You can call the Celtics the underdogs all you want, but since the All-Star Break they have been every bit as dominant as Cleveland. Don’t forget about the Celtics biggest asset either: the mad genius, Brad Stevens. No question the Blatt/LeBron coaching duo will be outmatched in every way by Stevens in this series. Stevens shouldn’t have much trouble exploiting the Cavs weaknesses after 1 or 2 games of figuring them out.

Stephen Varnum

I’m right with you Tim, Celtics in 6. The one thing the Cavs struggle against on defense is guarding teams that can successfully run off-ball screens and off-ball movement in general. And Stevens offense is full of all kinds of screens.

Apr 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-78. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

I also think something we have in our favor is our versatility. We have four to five players in the rotation that can play at least three different positions. I think that will force some of the Cavs big guys to switch on the picks and that will be an advantage someone like a Jay Crowder or an Evan Turner can capitalize on.

Mike Fowler

On the night of May 2nd, slowly walking through the Cleveland streets, hood up over his head, a man hides his face. The streets, strewn with trash. A fire, slowly burns off in the background. The city, once buzzing with excitement, is in ruins. Mayweather has just lost by way of an 8th round knockout, but no one in this particular city seems to care or even notice.

The man continues at his slow pace until the Quicken Loans Arena is far far away. He pulls back the hood when he thinks the coast is clear, and we see the face of David Blatt, disheveled and mumbling under his breath. It is barely audible but you can make out the word “Stevens”. He just keeps repeating it over and over. “Stevens, Stevens, Stevens”. How did a season with such promise end like this? Do you think Lebron and Kevin Love even like each other?

CELTICS IN SEVEN!

Apr 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt (right) watch from the sideline as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Eddie Santiago

It’ll be a tough series. The Celtics have the second best record in the east behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers since the all star break. The Cavs have the highest offensive efficiency since LeBron got back from vacation on January 13th. I’m interested in seeing Kyrie Irving go up against the two headed pitbull that is Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart. Brad Stevens is the far superior coach, although I think Blatt can coach too. It’s gonna break my heart but in the end, just not enough talent on the Celtics roster. Cavs in 6.

Mar 3, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Joshua Bateman

The Boston Celtics are coming into this series as overwhelming underdogs. The Cleveland Cavaliers are playing on another level this season and they present such an imposing presence on the court that is nearly impossible to overcome. No team in the league has three players as talented as the Cavaliers big three. If this series was based on talent alone the Cavaliers would win in a sweep. Fortunately for the Celtics, a lot more comes into play than just talent.

The Celtics have all the momentum winning seven of their last eight games. They have the right attitude, playing with nothing to lose and a ferocious never say die mentality. The Celtics are efficient, they shoot well, limit their turnovers and force the other team to turn it over. The big question is whether or not the Celtics have enough to overcome the talent deficiency.

While the Celtics may be able to overcome talent there is one more factor that may break their back. LeBron James is so much more than just a talented player. James has owned the eastern conference like no other. He has taken down teams with more talent and he has taken down a lot of teams with less talent.

More so than anyone else in the East, James knows how to win basketball games. The Celtics will be more competitive than a lot thought was possible and it begs the question: Do the Celtics have a chance? Yeah! they have a better chance than most realize but in the end James will prove to be too great a challenge and the Cavaliers will win in seven games.

Apr 8, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Cleveland won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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